Mainland China to boycott Golden Horse awards in latest attempt to squeeze Taiwan
- The ‘Chinese-language Oscars’ will not feature mainland Chinese films – the first time Beijing has banned them from it
- It follows last week’s ban on solo mainland travellers visiting Taiwan, set to cost the self-ruled island billions in lost tourism
Mainland China will not take part in the film awards dubbed the “Chinese-language Oscars”, held in Taiwan, Beijing’s film administrators announced on Wednesday, reflecting tensions across the strait.
A newspaper affiliated with the China Film Administration reported that representatives from the mainland movie industry would not attend the annual Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards on November 23.
Earlier reports had suggested that the Golden Rooster Awards, the mainland’s annual film event, would be held on the same date in Xiamen in southeast China.
This will be the first time that Beijing has banned its films and filmmakers from attending the Golden Horse Awards since Taiwan officially allowed the mainland to take part in 1996.
The report did not give a reason for the boycott but Long Mingbiao, deputy director of the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said it was prompted by the state of cross-strait relations.
Ernesto Ting Yun-kung, spokesman for Taiwan’s Presidential Office, said political considerations should not affect cultural exchanges.